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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn the three degrees of comparison in Dutch: stellende trap (groot), vergrotende trap (groter), and overtreffende trap (het grootst), with key examples like mooi, dik, and lief.
  1. The positive degree is the ordinary adjective.
  2. You use the comparative form to make a comparison.
  3. There is an article before the superlative.
Trap (Degree)Uitgang (Ending)Voorbeelden (Examples)
Stellende trap (Positive degree)-groot, mooi, dik, klein, lief
Vergrotende trap (Comparative degree)-ergroter, mooier, dikker, kleiner, liever
Overtreffende trap (Superlative)het/de -st(e)het grootst, het mooist, het dikst, het kleinst, het liefst

Exceptions!

  1. The comparative uses 'dan': 'Dit huis is kleiner dan dat huis'.
  2. Irregular forms: goed → beter → best, veel → meer → meest, graag → liever → liefst, weinig → minder → minst.

Exercise 1: Trappen van vergelijking

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

zachter, liefste, zuurste, zoetst, luider, beter, minst, zouter

1. Zout:
De soep is ... geworden nadat ik zout heb toegevoegd.
(The soup has become saltier after I added salt.)
2. Zacht:
Mijn kussen is ... dan dat van jou.
(My pillow is softer than yours.)
3. Zuur:
De citroen is het ... fruit.
(The lemon is the most sour fruit.)
4. Graag:
Ik eet het ... zoete snoepjes.
(I like to eat sweet sweets the most.)
5. Luid:
Kan je wat ... spreken? Ik hoor je niet goed.
(Can you speak a bit louder? I can't hear you properly.)
6. Weinig:
In het donker kan ik het ... zien.
(In the dark, I can see the least.)
7. Goed:
Verse bloemen ruiken ... dan oude bloemen.
(Fresh flowers smell better than old flowers.)
8. Zoet:
Dit snoepje is het ....
(This sweet is the sweetest.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Dit huis is ______ dan dat huis.

(This house is ______ than that house.)

2. De appel is ______ dan de peer.

(The apple is ______ than the pear.)

3. Dat is ______ schilderij van het museum.

(That is ______ painting in the museum.)

4. Deze geur is ______ sterk dan die van gisteren.

(This scent is ______ strong than yesterday's.)

5. Ik luister ______ naar klassieke muziek dan naar rockmuziek.

(I prefer ______ listening to classical music than to rock music.)

6. Dit is ______ hotel in de buurt.

(This is ______ hotel in the area.)

Understanding the Degrees of Comparison in Dutch Adjectives

This lesson focuses on the degrees of comparison in Dutch adjectives, an essential topic for beginners at the A1 level. You'll learn how to express qualities in their basic form, compare two things, and describe something as the highest or lowest in a group.

The Three Degrees of Comparison

  • Positive degree (Stellende trap): This is the regular adjective form used to describe things simply, e.g., groot, mooi, dik.
  • Comparative degree (Vergrotende trap): Used to compare two items or people. Typically formed by adding -er to the adjective, e.g., groter, mooier, dikker. Comparisons use the word dan meaning "than": for example, "Dit huis is groter dan dat huis" (This house is bigger than that house).
  • Superlative degree (Overtreffende trap): Indicates the highest or lowest degree within a group. This form includes the definite article het or de plus the adjective ending in -st(e), e.g., het grootst, het mooist, het dikst.

Important Examples and Irregular Forms

Common adjectives in the positive degree include: groot (big), mooi (beautiful), dik (thick), klein (small), and lief (sweet).

When making comparisons, adding -er generally works, but watch out for irregular forms. A few key irregular adjectives are:

  • goed → beter → best (good → better → best)
  • veel → meer → meest (much/many → more → most)
  • graag → liever → liefst (gladly/like to → rather/prefer → most preferably)
  • weinig → minder → minst (few → less → least)

Comparisons with dan

When using the comparative degree, the word dan (than) connects the two things being compared, as in "Dit huis is kleiner dan dat huis" (This house is smaller than that house).

Tips for English Speakers Learning Dutch Comparatives

Unlike English, Dutch often attaches suffixes directly to the adjective to form comparatives and superlatives. While English uses "more" and "most," Dutch mostly uses -er and -st(e), except for irregular adjectives listed above.

Also, Dutch comparatives are always followed by the word dan (than) when making comparisons, which equates directly to English usage.

Useful phrases:

  • Dit huis is groter dan dat huis. – This house is bigger than that house.
  • Ik luister liever naar klassieke muziek dan naar rockmuziek. – I prefer listening to classical music over rock music.
  • Dat is het mooiste schilderij van het museum. – That is the most beautiful painting in the museum.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 12:36